Salted Caramel Dreams by Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper

Author:Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510730144
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Published: 2018-03-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

SWEET SUCCESS

For the rest of the day, I find myself obsessing over Joseph. Maybe he likes me. Maybe he doesn’t know how to talk to me either. If only I knew what to ask him about. But what do girls talk about with guys? Their families? School? Sports? Before I can decide on a topic, I’m standing in front of Courtney, who’s leaning against her locker, her hands balled together. Seeing her nervous smile snaps me back to reality.

“The list!” I say.

“I know!” says Courtney.

“I’m almost too scared to look,” says Joseph from behind. From his tone I know he’s trying to be funny, but his eyes look nervous.

Ava joins us a minute later with Henry.

“Guess it’s now or never,” Courtney says.

The list turns out to be two sheets of yellow paper taped up to the glass wall in front of the cafeteria, surrounded by a crowd of students. As we make our way to the front, I hear some cheers and sighs of relief, along with a few whimpers and “oh wells.”

Ava finds her name first. “OhmiGod!” she screams, then stops, bringing her hand to her mouth. “I got it!” she mouths to us. “Cinderella!”

“Yes! I knew you would,” I say.

Courtney gives her a hug before scooting in next.

“Guess who’s gonna be your evil stepmother?” she says.

“You didn’t?” says Ava.

“Yes! I did!”

“OhmiGod congrats! That’s the other lead! I can’t believe we did it. We took both the leads!”

As they embrace again, I turn to the second sheet, my eyes scanning for the Ws. After a moment I find my name near the bottom.

Jasmine Wilson—Dove, it says.

“Huh. I guess I’m a dove,” I say.

Ava turns to me. “That’s awesome! You got a real part—not just the ensemble! On your first try!”

I smile as the news sinks in. “Oh my goodness you’re right. I’m the dove!”

“That’s not a nothing part either,” says Courtney. “There’s a lot of singing involved. See, told ya you have a good voice.”

I blush as Ava looks back at Henry and Joseph.

“How’d you guys make out?” she asks.

Joseph speaks first, his face all smiles. “King Maximilian.”

“And I’m Prince Charming,” says Henry.

At this, we all laugh.

“Wow, it looks like we really cleaned up,” says Ava. “We took, like, all the best parts!”

“We need to celebrate,” says Courtney.

“Let’s go downtown,” says Joseph. “Maybe ice cream? Or something warmer?”

“How about Dolce?” I say, then stop. Do I really want to go back there without Kiara? Before I can suggest something else, I hear the group agreeing.

“Oh I love Dolce, they have the best hot chocolate!” says Ava.

“Yeah and they make this white chocolate one too,” says Courtney.

“And don’t forget the salted caramel,” says Joseph. “I get it every time.”

I bring my hand to my mouth as we grab our bags and slip out the front doors, wondering how many times Joseph has stared up at the Dolce chalkboard and ordered a salted caramel steamer, never even knowing the two girls who created it. For a moment I debate telling him the drink’s history, but by the time I’m back in the conversation, the moment has passed.

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